Queen's University Belfast
Belfast, United Kingdom • Founded 1845 • World Rank #291
Updated Jun 2026
Overview
Established in 1849, the Queen's University Belfast is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the urban setting of the medium city of Belfast (population range of 250,000-499,999 inhabitants), Northern Ireland.
Officially recognized/chartered by the Privy Council, Queen's University Belfast (QUB) is a large-sized coeducational UK higher education institution. Queen's University Belfast (QUB) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as pre-bachelor's degrees (i.e. certificates, diplomas, associate or foundation), bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and doctorate degrees in several areas of study.
This 175-year-old UK higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on students' past academic records and grades. The acceptance rate range is 30-39% making this UK higher education organization a very selective institution.
International applicants are eligible to apply for enrollment.
QUB also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, sports facilities, study abroad and exchange programs, as well as administrative services.
Location & Contact
Queen's University Belfast's on-the-ground location and digital channels to engage with the institution. Library access for prospective students is often arranged separately through the main library team.
Academic Details
Queen's University Belfast's scale, faculty balance, and academic recognition. Staff-with-doctorate share often signals research culture more reliably than headline research output figures.
Academic Structures
Queen's University Belfast's internal academic organisation — faculties, schools, and constituent units — is broken down below. Each unit handles a specific subject cluster and houses its own programmes and faculty.
Unit 20 items
- School of Biological Sciences
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
- School of Education
- School of Electronics, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
- School of English
- School of Geography, Archaeology and Paleoecology
- School of History and Anthropology
- School of Languages, Literatures and Performing Arts
- School of Law
- School of Mathematics and Physics
- School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
- School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences
- School of Music and Sonic Arts
- School of Nursing and Midwifery
- School of Pharmacy
- School of Planning, Architecture and Civil Engineering
- School of Politics, International Studies and Philosophy
- School of Psychology
- School of Queen's University Management School
- School of Sociology, Social Policy and Social Work
Degrees
Explore the degree tracks available at Queen's University Belfast — from foundation routes through to doctoral programmes. Each level prepares graduates for distinct career or research trajectories.
Doctoral 38 programs
Doctoral programmes train independent researchers, leading to academic, scientific, and senior advisory careers.
- Accountancy
- Aeronautical and Aerospace Engineering
- Anthropology
- Archaeology
- Astrophysics
- Celtic Languages and Studies
- Chemistry
- Cognitive Sciences
- Computer Science
- Ecology
- Economics
- Education
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering
- English
- Film
- Food Science
- French
- Geography
- History
- International Studies
- Law
- Management
- Mathematics
- Mechanical Engineering
- Midwifery
- Modern Languages
- Music
- Musicology
- Nursing
- Oncology
- Pharmacy
- Philosophy
- Physics
- Political Sciences
- Psychology
- Public Health
- Theatre
- Translation and Interpretation
Faculties & Divisions
All faculties operate under Privy Council.
Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences (Faculty) 17 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Anthropology
- Education
- English
- History
- International Studies
- Law
- Literature
- Management
- Modern Languages
- Music
- Performing Arts
- Philosophy
- Political Sciences
- Social Policy
- Social Work
- Sociology
- Theology
Common Career Paths
- Researcher
- Policy Analyst
- Social Worker
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Engineering and Physical Sciences (Faculty) 13 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Aeronautical and Aerospace Engineering
- Archaeology
- Architecture
- Chemical Engineering
- Chemistry
- Civil Engineering
- Ecology
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering
- Geography
- Mathematics
- Mechanical Engineering
- Physics
- Psychology
Common Career Paths
- Engineer
- Project Manager
- Technical Consultant
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Medicine, Health and Life Sciences (Faculty) 24 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Anaesthesiology
- Anatomy
- Biochemistry
- Biological and Life Sciences
- Dentistry
- Endocrinology
- Epidemiology
- Health Sciences
- Medicine
- Microbiology
- Midwifery
- Molecular Biology
- Neurosciences
- Nursing
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology
- Oncology
- Ophthalmology
- Orthopaedics
- Pathology
- Pharmacology
- Physiology
- Psychiatry and Mental Health
- Public Health
- Surgery
Common Career Paths
- Physician
- Medical Researcher
- Clinical Specialist
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Programs Offered
Look through Queen's University Belfast's programmes by level or filter for keywords. Programme-level scholarships exist alongside institution-wide ones; the programme page typically lists them.
296 programmes on record. Each level below shows a sample. Compare these on the programs page All programs in United Kingdom
Honours Degree 168 programmes
Showing 10 of 168.
Master of Business Administration 2 programmes
Master of Philosophy 10 programmes
Master's Degree 83 programmes
Showing 10 of 83.
Doctorate 12 programmes
Showing 10 of 12.
Professional Doctorate 1 programme
Foundation 2 programmes
Postgraduate Certificate 12 programmes
Showing 10 of 12.
Postgraduate Diploma 6 programmes
How to apply to Queen's University Belfast
Below is a five-step path through the application process at Queen's University Belfast, useful for first-time applicants and international students.
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1
Browse the programme catalogue
Begin by reviewing the programmes section above. Queen's University Belfast offers 296 programmes grouped by qualification level. Decide on a target tier (bachelor's, master's, or doctoral) before narrowing by subject.
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2
Check eligibility for your chosen programme
Each programme at Queen's University Belfast has its own entry requirements — academic minimums, language proficiency, supporting documents, and sometimes interviews or portfolios. Check the programme-specific page or contact admissions to confirm eligibility.
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3
Get your documents ready
Most applications require certified academic records, identification documents, language test certificates (IELTS, TOEFL, or equivalent for English-medium programmes), CV/résumé, and a statement of purpose. Allow extra time for document authentication.
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4
Apply through the official channel
Apply directly via Queen's University Belfast's online portal at www.qub.ac.uk. Complete the application form, upload supporting documents, and pay any application fee. Confirmation emails typically arrive within a few business days.
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5
Reach out and track your application
After submitting, confirm receipt with the admissions office and track your application status through the portal. You can reach the institution by email at info@stran.ac.uk or by phone at +44 (28) 9024 5133. Set reminders for any interview requests, additional document submissions, or admission decision deadlines.
Frequently Asked Questions about Queen's University Belfast
Common questions students ask about Queen's University Belfast — answers pulled straight from the institution's published profile.
When was Queen's University Belfast founded?
Queen's University Belfast was established in 1845 (approximately 181 years ago).
Where is Queen's University Belfast located?
Queen's University Belfast is located in Belfast, United Kingdom.
Is Queen's University Belfast public or private?
Queen's University Belfast is a public institution.
What is the student enrolment at Queen's University Belfast?
Student enrolment at Queen's University Belfast is around 15,000-19,999.
How is Queen's University Belfast ranked?
It ranks #291 globally and #21 in United Kingdom.
What degrees does Queen's University Belfast offer?
Queen's University Belfast delivers bachelor's, master's and doctoral programmes across its academic units.
How is Queen's University Belfast organised academically?
The institution comprises 20 academic units.
Is Queen's University Belfast accredited?
The institution holds recognition from Privy Council.
Where can I learn more about Queen's University Belfast?
Queen's University Belfast's official website is www.qub.ac.uk.
Top-Ranked Universities in the United Kingdom
Industry partnerships of the United Kingdom's top universities signal employer engagement at the apex of the system. Lower-ranked institutions including Queen's University Belfast may still partner with strong employers locally.
Members of European University Association (EUA)
Membership criteria for European University Association (EUA) signal what the network values — research output, teaching quality, internationalisation, or institutional governance. Knowing the criteria helps interpret what membership means.
Faculties at nearby universities
Nearby institutions to Queen's University Belfast often share sports, residence, and student-life facilities through regional consortia. The shared infrastructure can shape your day-to-day experience meaningfully.
Where Else to Study Natural Sciences & Mathematics
Other universities in the United Kingdom that teach Natural Sciences & Mathematics appear below — useful for comparing programme depth against Queen's University Belfast. Programme structures differ even within the same country, so detailed comparison is worth the effort.
Universities Compared with Queen's University Belfast
International branch campuses are common among universities at Queen's University Belfast's tier. Peer institutions often operate in similar geographies, signalling comparable global ambition.
Studying in United Kingdom: guides and resources
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